Strana 108
MODEL & STORY
restoration to airworthy condition at the
airport in Salem, Oregon. Hangar “C” at the
historic McNary Field, which opened in January
2015, houses the museum and restoration
center of the B-17 Alliance Foundation. The
B-17G, newly named Lacey Lady (44-85790),
became famous as a gas station roof-top in
Milwaukie, Oregon, where it stood from 1947
until the mid-1990s. The time spent on the gas
station roof took its toll. Nevertheless, the
original birthday bet that led to the purchase
of the bomber and its placement above the gas
pump saved this aircraft from being scrapped.
Later, after suffering serious damage from the
weather and vandals, the engines and nose
were removed from the aircraft, primarily
for safety reasons. In 2014, the remainder
of the aircraft was lowered to the ground,
dismantled, and moved to the airport in Salem,
where it is undergoing a complex renovation.
Among other things, it is intended to serve as
a memorial to its original owner, Art Lacey,
which is why the B-17G was renamed the Lacey
Lady.
The B-17G Liberty Belle suffered the real
fate of a phoenix. The hearts of many B-17
enthusiasts stopped when, on June 13, 2011,
news broke that the Liberty Belle had burned
down in a field near Oswego, Illinois, following
a perfect emergency landing. A relatively small
fire on the left wing, caused by a ruptured fuel
tank, spread shortly after landing and largely
destroyed the aircraft. The Liberty Foundation,
which operated the aircraft, took a long time
to recover from the shock. Nevertheless, soon
after the fire, it was decided to seek ways
to bring the Liberty Belle back to life. The
unbelievable became reality. Today, the Liberty
Belle is in an advanced stage of restoration,
being carried out at Brooks Aviation Inc. The
faith of many who, after the crash, did not even
dare to hope that it would return to the skies,
is now miraculously strengthened.
In addition to the aircraft listed above, four
more B-17s are being restored in the United
States with the goal of returning them to
airworthy condition. Some of them have flown
as warbirds in the past but were grounded
some time ago for various reasons.
Restoring warbirds cannot be based solely
on enthusiasm. It requires deep technical
knowledge, adherence to complex guidelines
and regulations, and, last but not least, the
expenditure of considerable funds. Virtually
every organization involved in restoring the
aircraft mentioned here as examples offers
various ways to get involved in the project,
primarily through donations. Any amount is
welcome. If you’d like to help or learn more,
additional information and contact details can
be easily found online.
The B-17G, named ‘Champaign Lady‘ after its place of origin, is assembled from the wreckage
of at least five other Flying Fortresses.
B-17G 44-85790 on the roof of
a gas station south of Portland during
its heyday.
Decades of attention and exposure to the elements
have taken their toll on the aircraft.
It was a major attraction for several decades. After the gas
station closed, it remained on its pylons and became an eye
-
-catcher for the nearby “Bomber Restaurant.”
The ongoing restoration of B-17G 44-85790,
newly named Lacey Lady, at the Salem airport
(B-17 Alliance Foundation).
The tragedy that unfolded on the morning of June 13, 2011, near the town of Oswego, Illinois,
left few people hopeful that the Liberty Belle would ever take to the skies again…
… today, it is almost unimaginable how much
effort has gone into the attempt to bring this
aircraft back to life. The reality exceeds many
expectations.
INFO Eduard108
April 2026